Time delay mercury switch



April 28, 1936. c. s. NILES TIME DELAY MERCURY SWITCH Filed June 19, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [Zr/"017 S. /Vz'/es ATfo R N EY April 28, 1936. c. 5. NlLES 2,033,669

TIME DELAY MERCURY SWITCH Filed June 19, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 any. 2

fa 171017 6. A z'les INVENTOR ATTORN EY 5 starters,

Patented Apr. 28, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TIME DELAY MERCURY SWITCH Carroll S. Niles, Rockland, Maine 4 Application June 19, 1933, Serial No. 676,549

2 Claims.

The object of the invention is to provide a device particularly adapted for use where positive time delay is necessary to control the periods of operation of controlling devices, such as motor controllers and control panels for cranes, synchronous motors and the like, so that there will be a positive operation of the controlled devices without likelihood of the relay getting out of order; and generally to provide a device of the kind indicated which is of simple form and susceptible of cheap manufacture and installation.

With this object in view, the invention consists in a construction and combination of parts of which a preferred embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings but to which embodiment the invention is not to be restricted. Continued use in practice may dictate certain changes or alterations and the right is claimed 0 to make any which fall within the scope of the annexed claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l,is a view of a time delay relay constructed in accordance with the invention, this 5 view showing the device in its horizontal position and the figure being partly in section and partly in elevation.

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the structure of Figure 1 but showing the device in its vertical position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the plane indicated by the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing a modified form of the invention.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but looking in a direction atright angles to that in which Figure 4 is viewed.

c Figure 6 is a. sectional view on the plane indicated by the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a view simillar to Figure 2 but showing still another modification.

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the structure of Figure '7, showing the device in an inclined position.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing the device in its horizontal position.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 are views similar respectively to Figures 7 to-9 inclusive but of still another modification of the invention.

'The invention comprises an envelope 20, pref-' erably of cross-sectionally circular form but of oval formation in length, the envelope being interiorly divided by the walls 2i, 22 and 23 to provide the chambers 24, 25 and 26. The chamber 26 is inactivethat is, it performs no function other than to reduce the envelope volumetrically.

The chambers 24 and 25 are placed in communication by means of the perforation 21 formed in the wall 2| and have additional means effecting communication between them consisting of a tubular member 28, arranged axially of the chamber 25 but with its open end turned angularly as indicated at 29 to dispose it directly above the partition 22.

The envelope carries interior to the chamber 24 the spaced contacts 30 and 3! which extend through the walls of the envelope to constitute means for connection to electric circuits to be controlled. The envelope is also provided with the contacts 32 and 33, these being positioned in the chamber 25 adjacent the wall 2|. Additionally, the envelope is provided with the contacts 34 and 35 positioned in the chamber 25 in the region of the discharge mouth 29 of the tubular member 28.

The envelope houses a quantity of mercury 36.

In operation, the envelope is designed to be alternately shifted from vertical to horizontal position and vice vers'a and this may be accomplished by a magnetic coil, or by its being connected to the armature or arm of the contactors of the controlled device. In the horizontal position, the mercury 36 lies in the chamber 25 below the tubular member 28 and in contact with the wall 22 where it bridges the contacts 35 and 34, so that current may flow from the former to the latter and thence to the controlled devices. When the envelope is shifted to the vertical position, the mercury 36 drops in the chamber 25 to the wall 2|, effecting connection between the contact 33 and the contacts 32, thus putting into operation the electric circuits controlling other devices. But when resting on the wall 2|, it may flow through the perforation or opening 21 and into the chamber 24, where it effects electrical connection between the contact 3| and the contacts 30, the latter being successively put in circuit as the level of the mercury rises, because of their being arranged in spaced relation longitudinally of the envelope.

When the envelope is again shifted to its horizontal position, which will be accomplished after the mercury has flowed into the chamber 24, the mercury will be returned to the chamber 25 through the tubular conductor 28, where it will again bridge the contacts 34 and 35. Thus the electrical connections of the contacts of the devicesunder control will be successively accomplished and in the proper timed relation, dependcommunication with the chamber 46.

ing on the periodicity with which the envelope is shifted from vertical position to horizontal and vice versa.

In that form of the invention illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 inclusive, the envelope 40 is of the same form as the envelope 20 and is interiorly divided by the division walls 4|, 42, 43 and 44 in the chambers 45, 46, 41, 48 and 49, the last being a dead chamber like the chamber 26 by reason of having no function. The mercurial contents 50 are also alternately transferred from the chamber 45 to the chamber 46 and back again ,by the shifting of the envelope. In the vertical position of the envelope, the mercury drops into both the chambers 41 and 48 bridging the contacts 5| and 52 in the latter and the contacts 53 and 54 in the former, thus rendering active the controlled circuits. But that increment which is received in the chamber 48 is not retained therein, since it may flow from this chamber through the perforation 55 in the partition or wall 4| into the chamber 45, thus rendering inactive the circuits of which the contacts 5| and 52 are a part, because of breaking the electrical connections between the same. When the supply of mercury in the chamber 48 is depleted, the envelope is turned to horizontal position. The then mercurial contents of the chamber 45 will be transferred to the chamber 46 through the tubular member 56 which is identical with the tubular member 28. At the same time, that'portion of the mercury trapped in the chamber 41 will be precipitated into the chamber 46, since the chamber 41 is in full open When the envelope is returned to vertical position, the above recited cycle of operations will be repeated.

In that form of the invention illustrated in Figures '7 to 9, the envelope 60 which is of the same general form as the envelopes 20 and 4D, is interiorly divided with the partitions 6| and 62, so that the chambers 63, 64 and 65 result, with means of communication between the chambers 63 and 65 consisting of a tubular member 66 extending from the wall 6|, and the perforation 61 formed in the wall. The chamber 64 in this form is designed solely as a volumetric reducer. In the vertical position of the envelope, the mercury 68 will flow through the perforation 61 and successively effect electrical connection between the contact 61 and the contacts 69. After the envelope is shifted to horizontal position, the mercury will be returned to the chamber 63 through the tubular member 66 which is substantially a counterpart of the tubular member 28.

The time element of operation may be varied by reducing the amoimt of angular movement which the envelope undergoes in its two extreme positions. For example, the so-called horizontal position, if the time element is to be reduced, is rather an inclined position than a horizontal position, so that a part of the mercury contents will always be retained in the chamber 65, thus reducing the length of time necessary for suiiicient mercury to pass from the chamber 63 to raise the level to bridge the various contacts.

'In that form of the invention shown in Figures 10 to 12 inclusive the construction is substantially identical with the form shown in Figure 1, but in this modification, the envelope 8|) which is interiorly divided into the chambers 8|, 82 and 83,

effecting discharge of the mercury from the j chamber 82 into the chamber 8| and then down against the bottom wall 85 of the latter.

The invention having been described, what is claimed as new and useful is:

1. A time delay mercury switch comprising a closed cylindrical envelope having a longitudinal partition arranged adjacent the center thereof and transverse partitions disposed on either side of its longitudinal center and extending from the longitudinal partition to the opposite walls, said partitions dividing the envelope into two chambers in communication with each other through a perforation in one of the transverse partitions, a tubular member disposed at the longitudinal partition and extending from that partition having the perforation to a point beyond the other transverse partition, the tubular member also placing the two chambers in communication through an opening in that partition with which it is connected, and a mercurial filler enclosed by the envelope and transferred from that chamber in which the tubular member is disposed into the other chamber through said perforation, in the vertical position of the envelope, and returned from the latter chamber to the first chamber through the tubular member in the horizontal position of the envelope, the envelope being provided with spaced electrical contacts exposed Within at least one of the chambers and bridged by the mercurial filler when the latter is in said chamber.

2. A time delay mercury switch comprising a closed cylindrical envelope having a longitudinal partition arranged adjacent the center thereof and transverse partitions disposed on either side of its longitudinal center and extending from the longitudinal partition to the opposite walls, said partitions dividing the envelope into two chambers in communication with each other through a perforation in one of the transverse partitions. a tubular member disposed at the longitudinal partition and extending from that partition having the perforation to a point beyond the other transverse partition, the tubular member also placing the two chambers in communication through an opening in that partition with which it is connected, and a mercurial filler enclosed by the envelope and transferred from that chamber in which the tubular member is disposed into the other chamber through said perforation, in the vertical position of the envelope, and returned from the latter chamber to the first chamber through the tubular member in the horizontal position of the envelope, the envelope being provided with spaced electrical contacts exposed within at least one of the chambers and bridged by the mercurial filler when the latter is in said chamber, the cross-sectional area of the tubular member being materially greater than the area of said perforation.

CARROLL S. NILES. 

